plebiscite

 
Pronunciation: /ˈplɛbɪsʌɪt, -sɪt/

noun

  • the direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question such as a change in the constitution: the administration will hold a plebiscite for the approval of constitutional reforms
  • Roman History a law enacted by the plebeians' assembly.

Derivatives

plebiscitary

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪsɪt(ə)ri/
adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century (referring to Roman history): from French plébiscite, from Latin plebiscitum, from plebs, pleb- 'the common people' + scitum 'decree' (from sciscere 'vote for'). The sense 'direct vote of the whole electorate' dates from the mid 19th century